Theatre Encounter

Artists for Theatre Encounter

Lindsay Everatt - Graphic & Set Design; Photography

DJ Kelly - Consulting

Gillian Pinckney - Sound Design & Stage Management

Alana Phillips - Set & Costume Design

Elan Pratt - CoProducer (Maple Salsa)

Allison Turnbull - Set & Costume Design

Brian MacNeil - Lighting Design

Anna Lopez - Makeup Design

Dan Guiry - Sound Design

Dave Smith - Lighting Design

Megan Letourneau - Stage Mangement

Amos Altman - Playwright

Genevieve Bourdon - Script Artist

Maureen Jamison - Musician

Amanda Bourdon - Musician

Mark Unrau - Photography

The Evidence - Musicians

Calm Asa Comma - Musicians

Adam Power - Musician

Shauna Jayne Bellerose - Performing Artist

Jessie Everatt - Designer

Vince Brophy - Photographer and Videographer

Ajay Badoni - Lighting Designer and Stage Technician

Steve Jarand - Mask Creator & Instructor

Peter Balkwill - Mask Designer & Performance Creator

Maya Lewandowsky - Dance Choreographer

Jacquey Morison - Dance Choreographer

Krista Hudson - Stage Manager

Joshua Fraser - Audio, LIght & Stage Designer

Chris DePape - Lighting Designer

Nushi - Musicians

The Martyr Index - Musicians

The Bell Tower - Musicians

Celene Harder - Writer

Peaks - Musicians

Key to the City - Musicians

Theatre Encounter

Calgary, Alberta, Canada

home * about us * company * productions * past productions * the BMC * support * workshops * contact us

Co-Artistic Directors

"We are not saints, but we have kept our appointment. How many people can boast as much?" [Beckett]

Michael Fenton

is a director and performer based out of Calgary, Alberta; he attained a B.F.A. in drama from the University of Lethbridge and a M.F.A. in directing from the University of Calgary. Michael has worked at various theatres across Canada and New Zealand, whilst performing touring productions and directing plays. A four-year stint in Asia allowed him to observe and participate in an expansive array of performing arts from India to Japan. While willing to experiment with any theatrical genre and style, he holds an affinity for Expressionism, Melodrama and verse. Some directing highlights include Durang’s The Marriage of Bette and Boo (Christchurch Drama Centre, New Zealand), Brecht’s Baal (The University of Calgary), Barrie’s Peter Pan (Assistant Director, Alberta Theatre Projects) and The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (Theatre Encounter).

Mike Unrau

is a performer, director and teacher in Calgary, studying theatre at both the University of Toronto and Sheridan College of the Arts. He holds an M.F.A. at University of Calgary and focuses his work on physical actions and their social implications. He has trained with Eugenio Barba's Odin Teatret, at the Jerzy Grotowski Institute in Poland, as well as with Milon Mela in India. He has acted across Canada, taught theatre through the Shaw Festival Theatre and at the University of Mysore, India. He has won awards including a United Nations International Year of Freshwater & W.O.W Initiative committee’s Award for co-writing, and a Hart House award for acting. He was Artistic Director for a small theatre company in Toronto, has been an International Fellow Abroad heading several theatre projects in India, hosted the television show The Active Traveller, and was a clown in the Circus Carnivale in Australia.

Company

Managing Director

Lauren Mazuryk is currently working in Human Resource Management within the manufacturing sector. She has spent the last 7 years working in administration and human resources in the automotive industry in Ontario and has recently moved back to her home town of Calgary. Lauren received her Bachelor of Arts in Theatre from the University of Lethbridge where she was actively involved in the Theatre Arts Society and the creation of Twoonie Theatre. She is currently completing her Certified Human Resources Professional designation through the HRIA.

Marketing & Advertising Coordinator

Sarah Smith is a recent graduate from Carleton University majoring in Communication Studies and a minor of Art History. She has a focus in public relations, media relations, branding, event planning, and social media. Growing up in an arts environment (mostly from her mother), Sarah learnt how to put on successful fundraisers along with a deep want to get more people involved and knowledgeable about the arts community in the city. Excited to be working for a theatre company and diving more into her arts education, she is eager to use her business and media skills to help Theatre Encounter and to expand her knowledge and skills.

Illustration Artist

Aimee Qiu, a Calgary based artist and designer, has been featured in both solo and group shows in Calgary, including Gallery of Calgary, Calgary Opera Center, Shisomiso and Uppercase at Art Central, CafeKoi, Secret Balance Tattoo Shop, ArtLife Gallery, as well as Alberta College of Art and Design. She has been published in ART & LIFE (Canadian illustration and photography), FFWD, and Avenue Magazine. As a graphic designer, she has been working for Rolex.com (international), Alberta College of Art and Design (Alberta), Alberta & British Columbia Science Project (Alberta and British Columbia), West Canadian (Alberta), ArtFirm Gallery (Alberta), Mob Hit Productions (Alberta), Farmboy Design Studio (British Columbia), among other private businesses.

Company Artist (actor)

Val Duncan is a graduate of the University of Calgary where she studied English Literature with and emphasis on early Renaissance drama. This is her third season with Theatre Encounter. Past projects with the company include Everyman, The Glass Menagerie and Caligula. Other past projects include Romeo and Juliet, Henry VI, Much Ado About Nothing (THE Shakespeare Co.), Baal and the Marriage of Figaro (University of Calgary).

Volunteers

Volunteers are the cornerstone of any society. At the foundation of all creative and progressive cultures stands a thick wall of cohesive individuals that join to bolster organisations from nothingness to something greater. Theatre Encounter gratefully acknowledges the extensive work contributed to what we are trying to do. So many believe in our vision and work that great thanks are offered to our many supporters. The following list is a brief introduction to some of these people.

If you would like to volunteer for Theatre Encounter, as an artist or in any other facet, please contact us, as we are always looking for constructive assistance.

Eastport Lion's Club

Maple Salsa

Broken City

Lux Windows

Alix Woods

Mr. & Mrs. Kocourek

Jesse and Randy Set Construction

Copy Solutions

Rick Dorsch from Calgary Fastners & Tools LTD

The Old Trout Puppet Company

La Caravan Dance Theatre

Loose Moose Theatre Company

Proline Shooters

Kent, Ray & Marg Fenton

Other Contributors

Fran Jamison

Mike Jamison

Neil Baron

Catalin Obogeanu

Ihor Mazuryk

Chandra Mazuryk

Herb Matthews

Hank Unrau

Sam Hughes-Martin

Jackie Jenkins

Natalia Zoldak

Bill Purcell

Grammy Lam

Trevor Obrien

Lise Tellier

Melissa Casey

Gerardo Marquez

Company Artist (actor)

Elan Pratt has been involved in theatre for over 20 years. Currently she is a company artist with Theatre Encounter and has performed in their productions of The Glass Menagerie, Caligula, The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari and Death and Devil. This past summer Elan directed The Cremation of Sam McGee for Theatre Encounter. She is also an ensemble member with Maple Salsa Theatre having performed in The Dali Hours, Macula, Neruda Nude and The Lorca Trilogy. She is a graduate of the University of Calgary’s Drama Program, has attended the Canadian National Voice Intensive and trained with Massachusetts’ Double Edge Theatre.

Graphic Designer

Jordan Schlachter is a graduate of the Digital Graphic Communications program at SAIT Polytechnic. Graduating with honours from the program he gained knowledge of the print industry and has worked as a graphic designer in the industry for 3.5 years.

Bookkeeper

Lenka Plaskonova holds a Masters Degree in Business Management from the University of Economy in Bratislava, Slovakia. After moving to Canada she worked for various companies in administration, accounting and marketing. Lenka is a lover of music, dance and theatre and has studed and played music since childhood. She is a proud mother of three boys who she encourages to play music and take drama classes.

Previous Company

Our Previous Company members have been important contributors, facilitators and believers in Theatre Encounter's work. We have created stepping stones to broaden our structural and artistic endeavours and our previous company members have assisted in putting these pieces into place. We literally couldn't have done it without these extraordinary individuals. They include:

Geoff Matthews was our Fundraising Coordinator and assisted with keeping our company abreast of financial viability initiatives.

Patricia Quequezana was our Marketing & Advertising Assistant, and joined in actualizing our marketing strategies.

Intern

Company Assistant

Jennifer LeBlanc is a recent graduate of the University of Lethbridge BFA performance program. During her time there, she participated in the productions of Arcadia, To Kill A Mockingbird, In Comes the Doctor, Cursed and Patience. She acts as Theatre Encounter’s Intern and has performed in Quest and Medea.

Theatre Encounter has an Intern Program that invites young actors and directors into the company for one year to study, perform, direct and work with the company's inner workings. This is an incredible opportunity for artists to learn more about a company and progress as an actor or director at the same time.

To learn more about the program, click here. This Year's Interns are:

Chelsey MacDonald is serving as Theatre Encounter's first directing intern, helping direct and stage manager for the 2011/2012 season. She graduated with a bachelors in Dramatic Art from the University of Windsor and looks forward to contributing to Theatre Encounter through this first step in the many to come for her career.

Marketing & Advertising Consultant

Gregg Kocourek has been involved in theatre throughout his life, and is proud to bring his passion to Theatre Encounter. His Marketing & Advertising experience stems from having run his own business, Nobody’s Business Productions, which assisted local businesses and clubs including the UofL’s student newspaper and radio station (The Meliorist and CKUL/CKXU). He has also worked for FFWD as an Advertising Representative. Gregg received his Bachelors of Commerce with a major in Marketing at the University of Lethbridge.

Marketing & Advertising Assistant

Jessica Melnychuk holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication from Mount Royal University in Calgary, Alberta. Finishing each semester on the Dean’s Honour Roll, she has been published in Western Living Magazine, the Calgary Journal, The Reflector, and Profiles West. Having been passionate about theatre and the arts since childhood, she is excited to join the team at Theatre Encounter.

Andrew Lewis is a recent Graduate of Grant MacEwan’s Theatre Arts diploma. Through his time there Andrew worked in shows such as The Music Man, Xanadu, Vernon God Little, Once on This Island, The Seagull, Merrily We Roll Along, and Thebans. This is his first season with Theatre Encounter and has been involved in Heart Of Darkness. Andrew acts as Theatre Encounters Acting Intern for the 2012-2013 season.